Mama, your world will change with the birth of your newborn baby! The family dynamics will change when adding a baby into the mix. The focus becomes taking care of the newborn baby. Motherhood is amazing and you will learn many new things each day. Keep in mind that in the beginning, there is a learning curve, and being flexible to the needs of yourself and the baby is key. Some things will be the same every day and also every day will be different. Remember that your baby was born to be breastfed!
Baby Hunger Cues: How They Shape Your Feeding Routine
A day in the life of a mom who is breastfeeding will involve many new learning experiences. First, learning baby’s hunger cues will help to you to know when to feed baby. Typically, with breastfeeding, baby will be fed on demand, or whenever baby is signaling that he is hungry. You will not be looking at the clock or writing down a schedule. In the beginning, you will be bonding with baby and watching for him to tell you it’s time to feed. Some early hunger cues are baby putting fingers in the mouth, licking his lips, and rooting at the chest, looking for where to latch. Keep baby close and avoid using a pacifier. This way, you will notice when baby is showing you hunger cues. Soon you will get into the groove of picking up quickly on baby’s hunger cues.
Frequent Feeds: What to Expect and How to Plan
You will be breastfeeding your baby very frequently each day. You may be sitting down in your favorite chair in your new nursery or family room to breastfeed. Or, you may be out of your home and finding a comfortable location to nurse baby. Either way, you will be bringing your baby to the breast 8-12 or more times a day. Breastfeeding baby often is what helps to stimulate and increase your milk production in the early weeks, when you are laying down the foundation of your milk supply. Buying comfortable nursing bras and nursing tops will help make breastfeeding easier no matter where you are. Nursing covers are also helpful if you would like to have more privacy in public. Also look for nursing mother rooms available in public locations such as department stores, shopping malls, airports, and colleges to name a few.
Nighttime Feeds: Supporting Milk Supply and Baby’s Needs
The work of a mother continues around the clock, 24/7. Baby will wake during the night to breastfeed. Not only is this important to supply baby’s needs (nutrition and comfort), it also will help maintain your milk supply. Frequent milk removal is signaling to your body to continue to produce more milk. Your prolactin level (the hormone that triggers milk production) is very active in the middle of the night and this helps you to continue to produce milk. Baby waking during the night also helps to protect against SIDS. Consider keeping baby close by you to sleep, such as in a bedside bassinet or crib in your bedroom. Having baby close by will enable you to respond timely to baby’s needs and this will help everyone to return to sleep more easily.
Breastfeeding Hunger & Hydration: Keeping Your Energy Up
Similarly to being pregnant, you will find that you continue to be hungry and thirsty when you are breastfeeding your newborn. Your body is working hard to produce milk and you are burning about 500 calories a day by breastfeeding your baby. Many mamas find that creating a nursing nest full of snacks and drinks will help them stay energized and hydrated. Make sure you find the time to eat and drink to replenish your nutrients and give you energy. Bottled waters and juice boxes and small packages of snacks such as nuts and trail mix and dried fruits are quick and easy to eat when while you are breastfeeding.
Self-Care Tips for New Moms During Breastfeeding
While you are prioritizing the needs of your baby, it is important to also carve out time for taking care of yourself. When baby is sleeping, instead of doing housework, try to rest or do something you enjoy. Ask family or friends to help you in the newborn days with cleaning, meals and housework. Getting outside in the fresh air and taking your baby on a walk in the carrier or stroller will do wonders for your mood.
Remember a few important things as a mom who is breastfeeding. Learn your baby’s hunger cues, offer the breast to baby frequently throughout the day, keep your body fueled for it’s important breastfeeding mission, and allow yourself time to rest and refresh. Your baby was born to breastfeed and you are doing an amazing job, mama!
